Review : Meliá Chiang Mai | MeliáRewards

The price per night for a room at the Meliá Chiang Mai varies greatly depending on the season; rooms can be found for as little as $150 in August (low season) and in high season, prices generally start at $230.

For example, a night in the Meliá Room category in December costs $207 or 29,572 MeliáRewards points.

It is also possible to book from platforms such as Expedia, Booking.com and Agoda. By taking part in their rewards programs, you can get a status giving access to discounted prices. You can also combine this with a travel credit card. For example, you could book with the Scotiabank Passport™ Visa Infinite* Card to avoid the 2.5% foreign currency conversion fee. By booking through Expedia’s dedicated Scene+ site, you can collect or redeem points for your bookings to save money.

There are no credit cards linked to the MeliáRewards program in Canada, but you can still earn points by staying at hotels and their partners, such as :

• Vueling
• Air Europa
• Iberia

and for car rental :

• Review
• Sixt
• Europcar (with whom you can triple your MeliáRewards points)

Located in the center of Chiang Mai, 6 km from the airport and close to the night market, the Meliá Chiang Mai is ideally situated and offers breathtaking views of the city, the Ping River and the surrounding mountains.

The hotel’s location makes it easy to visit tourist attractions; whether it’s a walk along the river, a stroll to the local markets or the accessibility of cabs and tuk-tuks for more remote activities. The night market is just a stone’s throw from the hotel, so we took the opportunity to sample the street food and store for affordable souvenirs.

Since my room included access to The Level lounge, I enjoyed a private check-in in the lounge in question, with a refreshing drink in hand. I was handed a sheet listing the benefits of my booking with details of The Level lounge:

• Private check-in and check-out in The Level lounge
• Unlimited access to the lounge
• Unlimited breakfast service in the lounge from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• Free afternoon tea in the lounge from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Free cocktails and canapés in the lounge from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
• Snacks and soft drinks in the lounge from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Internet access in the lounge
• Ironing one garnment per stay
• Fresh fruit in room on arrival
• Dedicated concierge services
• 10% discount at YHI Spa
• Late check-out until 2 pm (subject to availability)
• Nespresso coffee machine

The note also mentioned a dress code to be respected.

A member of staff delivered my suitcases to my room.

I had The Level room with a view of the city, equipped with a double bed and a comfortable size of 30 m2.

The decor blends perfectly with the rest of the hotel, offering a mix of Spanish influence with Thai accents. A bench allows you to relax while admiring the view of the city.

The room was well-equipped, with a minibar, bathrobe, Nespresso coffee machine and safe.

Although a little narrow, the bathroom offers plenty of light and a walk-in rain shower with all the necessary toiletries.

I was lucky enough to visit other room categories, including the Premium Corner, a very spacious 54m² room with the addition of a sofa, perfect for a movie night.

For even more space, the Meliá Chiang Mai suite covers 62m². The bedroom layout is perfect for working or relaxing, and the bathroom is very spacious, with shower and bath.

Other categories, such as Deluxe and Family rooms, are available to suit the needs of our customers.

The decor matches the rest of the hotel perfectly. A turndown service was offered and I was pleased to see that a small gift was placed on my bed each night with the hotel’s logo, a very nice touch.

The breakfast buffet was huge, with culinary options to suit all tastes and the hotel’s international clientele. The menu featured local and Asian dishes, as well as excellent cheeses and charcuterie, reflecting the Meliá brand’s Spanish heritage. Here is an overview:

The service was equally excellent, and the quality of the ingredients – local fruit and vegetables – made all the difference.

Mai The Sky Bar, Meliá Chiang Mai’s rooftop terrace, is certainly one of the hotel’s highlights. Located on the 22nd floor, it offers a unique 360-degree view of Chiang Mai and a magnificent spot to admire the sunset, the Ping River and the mountains while sipping a cocktail. The spacious terrace is laid out on two levels, with a glass walkway offering an unobstructed view of the city.

A wide selection of cocktails, wines and beers are on the menu, along with Spanish bites and snacks, true to the origins of the Meliá brand.

On the 21st floor is the Mai restaurant, serving fusion Thai and Mediterranean cuisine. We had the pleasure of sampling a tasting menu.

The restaurant, open daily for lunch and dinner, offers a magnificent view of Chiang Mai.

I’d be lying if I said it was an exceptional meal. It has to be said that throughout my stay in Thailand, I was lucky enough to taste a wide variety of dishes with very refined flavors. The fusion between the two types of cuisine was interesting, but after trying it, I admit I prefer authentic Thai food. In other words, it wasn’t the most memorable meal of my trip.

Between the lobby and the breakfast restaurant is the Ruen Kaew Lounge, where you can enjoy coffee, afternoon tea or cocktails and snacks before, during or after a day exploring Chiang Mai.

The Meliá Chiang Mai features a swimming pool with plenty of sun loungers and Balinese beds. A small children’s pool with a slide is also available. Guests can refresh themselves at the Tien pool bar, which offers refreshing drinks and cocktails with or without alcohol.

The Level lounge offers all-day snacks, with breakfast service from 7 to 10:30 a.m., afternoon tea from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and cocktails and hors d’oeuvres from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Snacks and soft drinks are available all day, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

To gain access to the lounge, make sure it is included in your reservation. If not, only MeliáRewards Platinum members have free access.

I was offered an essential oil massage at YHI Spa. After filling in a form with my health information, I was able to select the oil for my massage. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience.

Massages in Thailand are extremely affordable, and the quality of service received is generally excellent. So it’s certainly not the only place to get a good massage in town, but I can definitely see the benefit of enjoying one at the hotel spa after a long day of sightseeing. Once the massage therapy session is over, tea is brought to us.

Right next to the pool is the fitness room, open at all times and equipped with new and varied equipment for a complete workout.

The Meliá Chiang Mai offers the largest kids’ club in Chiang Mai, a perfect complement for parents who want to relax and enjoy the spa!

I loved my experience at the Meliá Chiang Mai. The service was excellent and the staff very attentive. With a rooftop terrace, swimming pool and on-site spa, this five-star hotel has everything you need to relax between city tours. The hotel is also very family-friendly, with its choice of rooms and kids’ club.

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